Kowari – The Residual-Stress Diffractometer for Engineering Applications at OPAL

Since the first residual-stress experiments were done using neutron diffraction the demand for dedicated instruments increased constantly. Nowadays, it is a well established technique suitable to determine precisely and reliably sub-surface stresses in engineering components. Kowari is a dedicated residual stress diffractometer and part of the first suite of instruments of Australia's new research reactor OPAL. In June 2007 Kowari detected the first neutrons which allowed doing some preliminary checks with Monte Carlo simulations. To further check the simulations experimental resolution curves are compared with results from FRM-H. We would like to give an update on the progress of the instrument's installation and commissioning. A schematic view of the instrument is shown in Fig. 1 and the main components are described in the following sections.